Corner framing member

ABSTRACT

The corner member acts structurally and as a trim cap for cladding. The corner member can accept multiple types of cladding with or without sheathing in channels formed in the corner member. The corner member may also comprise return flanges or a separate mounting flange that extend into the structure and are exposed to allow for fastening of internal accessories or other items that need an internal mounting surface.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application 60/808,516 filed onMay 25, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The invention relates to storage sheds and other building structures andmore particularly to a cost effective corner framing member for buildingstructures that can accept multiple claddings.

BACKGROUND

There are many different “frame” designs in existence today that utilizemany different materials and construction methodologies. A typical frameconstruction comprises vertical studs connected to base plates and topplates to create a wall frame where the wall frame is then covered bycladding such as plywood siding or the like. The most common cornerconstruction method uses two of the same vertical stud members to createthe corner. This requires the use of multiple vertical stud members anda separate trim or cap member that covers the seam between the verticalstud members and the cladding. Moreover, existing framing studs do notperform any function other than to support the walls and roof of thestructure.

Thus, an improved framing member is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The corner framing member of the invention integrates all the necessaryfunctionality into one member to create a more cost effective and easierto assemble structure. The corner member is designed to act structurallyand as a trim cap for cladding. The corner member can accept multipletypes of cladding with or without sheathing. For claddings that requiresheathing, the corner member accepts the sheathing and allows for thecladding to be installed over the sheathing. For claddings that do notrequire sheathing, the corner member accepts the cladding directly. Thecorner member also has return flanges that allow for fastening ofinternal accessories or other items that need an internal mountingsurface. The corner frame member cost effectively provides an aestheticfinish trim, water management, structural support, interior accessorymounting surfaces and supports multiple claddings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of an embodiment of the corner framing member ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the corner framing member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the corner framing member of FIG. 1orthogonal to the view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the corner framing membermounted to rigid cladding.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the corner framing membermounted to sheathing and cladding.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment ofthe corner framing member mounted to sheathing and cladding.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment ofthe corner framing member.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another alternate embodimentof the corner framing member.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing yet another alternateembodiment of the corner framing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The corner framing member is shown generally at 1 comprising a unitarymember of roll-formed steel. The corner framing member 1 may alsocomprise extruded aluminum; extruded polymer; pultruded polymer;extruded wood composite; fabricated steel; compression molded fiberglassor other suitable material. While in the illustrated embodiment thecorner member 1 is formed of a unitary piece of material it is to beunderstood that it could be made of component parts rigidly securedtogether. The corner framing member 1 has particular application instorage buildings and sheds although it may be used in any type ofstructure.

The corner framing member 1 includes a first exterior face 2 thatextends for substantially the entire length of the corner member and isconnected to a second exterior face 4 that also extends forsubstantially the entire length of the corner member. The length of thecorner framing members 1 is typically the height of the wall it isframing and may be 8 feet in a standard construction although theframing members may be designed to any desired length. The first andsecond exterior faces 2 and 4 form a corner 6 that forms the corner ofthe shed or other building structure. In one embodiment the faces 2 and4 are arranged at a right angle relative to one another. The exteriorsurfaces 2 a and 4 a of the faces 2 and 4 are finished in anaesthetically pleasing manner such as by painting, burnishing or thelike such that these faces may present a finished exterior surface inthe completed building structure.

Formed at the distal ends 2 b and 4 b of the exterior faces 2 and 4,respectively, are channels 8 and 10 that extend for the length of theexterior faces. The channels are dimensioned to receive the wallcladding as will hereinafter be described. The channels 8 and 10 aresubstantially identical such that specific reference will be made tochannel 8. Channel 8 is formed of a first wall 12 that extendssubstantially parallel to the wall cladding. In the illustratedembodiment wall 12 is a portion of exterior face 2. A second wall 14that forms the end of the channel is located from the distal end of wall12 a distance sufficient to create a channel having a depth that willsupport and retain the wall cladding. A third wall 16 extendssubstantially parallel to first wall 12 and beyond the distal end ofwall 12.

Extending from the end of third wall 16 is a return flange 20 thatextends generally perpendicular to and away from the cladding surface.The return flanges 20 are dimensioned and positioned such that theyextend into the interior of the assembled shed or other structure. Asshown in FIG. 1 the return flanges 20 extend toward the interior spacedefined by the corner framing member 1. The return flanges 20 areexposed on the interior of the shed or other structure such that shedaccessories (tool hangers, shelving, home organization products) orother structures may be secured to the return flanges 20 on the interiorof the shed or other structure. The flange 20 may include connectingelements 21 that mate with the accessories such as male or femaleconnectors, holes, flanges or the like. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, thereturn flanges 20 terminate short of the ends of the exterior faces 2and 4 to create extensions of the faces 2 and 4 (shown at A in FIGS. 2and 3) at both ends of the corner member 1. Screws or other fastenerscan engage these extensions to secure the corner member 1 to a baseplate B and top plate T as shown in FIG. 2.

The shed or other structure is framed by mounting the corner members 1to base plates B and top plates T to create a three dimensional space.Additional studs may be mounted to the base and top plates between thecorner members as is known in the art to provide structural rigidity forthe shed or other structure. The corner member 1 of the inventionaccepts both cladding that requires sheathing and cladding that does notrequire sheathing. Cladding that does not require sheathing has inherentrigidity and may consist of panels of wood, composite material, woodresin or the like. Cladding that requires sheathing typically consistsof less rigid materials such as vinyl siding although sheathing may beused with rigid cladding.

Referring to FIG. 4, for rigid materials the cladding 24 is inserteddirectly into the channels 8 and 10 and the cladding may be secured tothe corner member by fasteners 29 such as screws. The rigid cladding 24may be formed with flanges 26 that fit within the channels 8 and 10. Thecladding 24 is inserted into the top of the channels 8 and 10 and isslid down into position in the corner member 1. In one typicalconstruction the cladding will extend between adjacent corner membersalthough the cladding does not have to span the entire distance betweencorner members.

Referring to FIG. 5, for less rigid materials a sheathing 30 is insertedinto the channels 8 and 10. The sheathing may comprise plywood,pressboard or other rigid building material. After the sheathing isinserted into the channels, the cladding 32, such as vinyl siding, issecured over and to the sheathing 30 using screws or other fasteners 29.A separate cladding corner piece 34 may also be used that is fit overthe corner member 1. The cladding 32 is shown extending over cornermember 1 in FIG. 5; however, the sheathing 30, cladding 32 and channels8 and 10 may be dimensioned such that both the edge of the sheathing 30and the edge of the cladding 32 are received in the channels 8 and 10 asshown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7 another embodiment of the invention is shown wherelike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previouslydescribed with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The cornermember 40 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 exceptthat return flanges 20 are not part of corner member 40. To mount shedaccessories (tool hangers, shelving, home organization products) orother structures on the interior of the shed or other structure aseparate mounting flange 42 is provided that is secured to the walls 16of the corner framing member 40. The mounting flange 42 may includeconnecting elements 46 that mate with the accessories such as male orfemale connectors, holes, flanges or the like. The mounting flange 42may extend for the height of the wall structure or for a portionthereof. The mounting flange has a “W” profile where first and secondflanges 42 a and 42 b are disposed parallel to walls 16 and are securedthereto by fasteners 44 such as screws. Mounting flange 42 furtherincludes walls 42 c, 42 d, 42 e and 42 f that present surfaces formounting the accessories. Connecting elements 46 may be provided on anyof the walls for receiving the accessories.

Referring to FIG. 8 another embodiment of the invention is shown wherelike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previouslydescribed with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The cornermember 50 shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 exceptthat return wall 12 terminates at wall 14 such that the channels 8 and10 are only enclosed on two sides (formed by walls 14 and 16) and areopen to the front of the corner member 50. The corner unit 50 may beused with the separate mounting flange 42 previously described withrespect to FIG. 7. Moreover, return flanges 20 may be included on cornermember 50 if desired.

Referring to FIG. 9 another embodiment of the invention is shown wherelike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previouslydescribed with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The cornermember 60 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 exceptthat channels 8 and 10 are subdivided into separate sub-channels 8 a, 8b and 10 a, 10 b by wall 62. Walls 62 extend from walls 14 substantiallyparallel to and spaced between walls 12 and 16. The sub-channels 8 a and10 a receive sheathing 30 and the sub-channels 8 b and 10 b receivecladding 32. The corner unit 60 may be used with the separate mountingflange 42 previously described with respect to FIG. 7. Moreover, returnflanges 20 may be included on corner member 50 if desired.

While embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, various changesand modifications can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the invention has other applications in other environments. Manyembodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended tolimit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments describedabove.

1. A corner framing member for a structure comprising: a rigid elongated member having a channel formed therein for receiving cladding; a mounting flange connected to the elongated member and extending into the structure where it is exposed to the interior of the structure.
 2. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein the corner member comprises a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said cladding is received in said channel.
 3. The corner framing member of claim 1 said elongated member having a second channel formed therein for receiving cladding.
 4. The corner framing member of claim 3 wherein said channel and said second channel are arranged at right angles relative to one another.
 5. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said elongated member has a first extension adapted to be connected to a base plate.
 6. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said elongated member has a second extension adapted to be connected to a top plate.
 7. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said cladding is slid into said channel.
 8. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said cladding is placed into the top of the channel and lowered into position.
 9. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said mounting flange includes means for connecting said flange to an accessory.
 10. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said mounting flange is connected to a side wall of said channel.
 11. A corner assembly comprising: a rigid elongated member having a first channel and a second channel for receiving cladding; cladding located in said first channel and said second channel; the corner member comprising a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said cladding is received in said first channel and said second channel.
 12. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said first channel is enclosed on three sides.
 13. The corner assembly of claim 12 wherein said first channel is enclosed on two sides.
 14. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said first channel is subdivided into two channels.
 15. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said cladding is placed into the top of the channel and lowered into position.
 16. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said elongated member supports a flange that extends interior of the corner assembly.
 17. The corner assembly of claim 16 wherein said flange includes means for connecting said flange to an accessory.
 18. The corner assembly of claim 11 further including sheathing located under the cladding.
 19. The corner assembly of claim 18 wherein the sheathing is located in said channel.
 20. The corner assembly of claim 19 wherein said first channel is subdivided into a first sub-channel and a second sub-channel where cladding is located in the first sub channel and sheathing is located in the second sub-channel.
 21. A corner assembly comprising: a rigid elongated member having a channel for receiving sheathing; sheathing located in said channel; the corner member comprising a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said sheathing is received in said channel.
 22. The corner assembly of claim 21 wherein said sheathing is covered by cladding.
 23. The corner assembly of claim 22 wherein said cladding extends over the first face.
 24. The corner assembly of claim 22 wherein said cladding is located in said channel.
 25. The corner assembly of claim 21 wherein a cladding corner piece covers at least a portion of said first face and said second face. 